Review of Sinister 2 Full Movie: Wow was this movie bad. I really enjoyed the first Sinister (2012) and thought while it wasn't perfect it was well acted and had some very scary moments. Continuing the story from the first film we follow this time around a mother named Courtney (Shannyn Sossamon) and her two boys Dylan (Robert Daniel Sloan) and Zach (Dartanian Sloan). Courtney is on the run from her estranged, abusive husband Clint (Lea Coco) and is residing on an old farm where a series of murders had happened previously (she's obviously not aware).
Each night ghostly children visit Dylan and force him to watch videos of various murders (which in itself is kind of the "secret" from the first film). Anywho, the deputy from the first film (James Ransome) is investigating the murders from the first film and kind of has it figured out. He goes through each house that is on the tapes from the first film and is burning them down so that the people who eventually move in won't be cursed by the demon Bughuul (Nicholas King).
Eventually, he comes across Courtney and her children! And that's where I'll stop. The movie is super predictable. If you've seen the trailer you pretty much have seen all the jump scares. The film really lost a lot from the first one. Maybe since it's revealed here who the real killers are unlike the twist from the first film it kinda just doesn't work. There's a lot of disturbing scenes here from home video viewings, but that's about it. The deputy is likable, but his interactions and dialogue with Courtney are so clunky it's just bad. Overall, if you wanna waste an hour and a half of your life go for it, but this was a cash-in movie sequel I'd say avoid it.
Naturally, producer Jason Blum of Paranormal Activity and Insidious fame sought to recapture the magic of that first film with this newly released sequel. This film picks up after the events of the previous one. The main protagonist is Deputy So & So who assisted Ethan Hawke's ill-fated author in the previous film. Haunted by the revelations that were uncovered about Bughuul willing children into murdering their families, the deputy takes it upon himself to destroy all physical remnants of the monster and to prevent any future tragedies. There's only one problem...a new family may already be on their way to the same horrific fate!
The mythology that was established in the first film is imperative to understanding the plot and character motivation in this one. As such, you should really see that film before giving this one a watch. In the first film, Bughuul was a terrifying presence who created fear and anxiety even when he was not on the screen. The success of that story hinged upon the audience discovering the ghastly secrets of Baghuul along with the characters. Sadly, this sequel fails to live up to the high bar that its predecessor set. With all of the answers explained in that film, this one fails to recreate the same sense of dread and discovery. The mythology trumps any chance at new revelations or surprises, making this film a plodding progression to an inevitable conclusion. The subtlety of the previous film is discarded in favor of the usual jump scares that permeate most films of the genre. As such, it feels as if this movie simultaneously has too much Baghuul and not nearly enough of him. If you watched and enjoyed the first movie, this one can be a fun continuation of that story. Still, don't be surprised if you come out of this one disappointed.
More of a dark drama than an actual horror film, though I will say the last act is intense. In this continuation, Deputy So-and-So (James Ransone) is still deeply haunted by his inability to save the Oswalts. In a desperate attempt to end Baghuul's reign of terror, he has burned down all the Baghuul murder houses. His quest to the last murder house on his list leads him to stumble upon a family hiding from a sadistic, controlling and abusive patriarch (Leo Coco). Courtney (Shannyn Sossamon), and her twin sons Zach (Dartanian Sloan) and Dylan (Robert Daniel Sloan) have taken refuge in the last murder house, and much to Deputy So-and So's dismay, Baghuul has already touched both of the boys (no, not in that way....get your mind out of the gutter). It's just a matter of time until one of them commits the latest horrific act in Baghuul's ever-expanding list. Can So-and-So protect them and himself? Unfortunately, not much really happens in this film.
Most of the runtime focuses on So-and-So bumbling around while he investigates, we delve into the horrific history of this broken and bruised family, and we watch Baghuul's attempts to initiate Dylan into his little murder club (mainly by giving him some horrific nightmares, and forcing him to watch reel after reel of Super 8 murders, most of which pale in comparison to the ones witnessed in the first Sinister. I will say the last tape is pretty effective though). Sinister 2 just isn't all that scary, though a definite dreary and hopeless atmosphere and mood is established here.
James Ransone is very likable as the still goofy ex-deputy, both twins do fine jobs, and the various ghost kids are neither creepy, threatening, nor scary. Possibly the actor who leaves the strongest impression is Leo Coco as Clint, the absolutely terrifying, intimidating and sadistic patriarch who is on the hunt for his ex-wife and kids, he's certainly WAY scarier than Baghuul is in this film (It's also worth noting that there isn't really any main character here). Sinister 2 accomplishes one thing most other horror sequels normally fail to do: It definitely feels like a natural, organic continuation of the first film, just don't expect a scary film or a horror film. This is a decidedly different take on the horror sequel, and it does what it sets out to do fairly well. It's not all that impressive of a sequel, but I'll say I enjoyed my time with it, although it's infernally annoying final shot left a bad taste in my mouth.
Naturally, producer Jason Blum of Paranormal Activity and Insidious fame sought to recapture the magic of that first film with this newly released sequel. This film picks up after the events of the previous one. The main protagonist is Deputy So & So who assisted Ethan Hawke's ill-fated author in the previous film. Haunted by the revelations that were uncovered about Bughuul willing children into murdering their families, the deputy takes it upon himself to destroy all physical remnants of the monster and to prevent any future tragedies. There's only one problem...a new family may already be on their way to the same horrific fate!
Most of the runtime focuses on So-and-So bumbling around while he investigates, we delve into the horrific history of this broken and bruised family, and we watch Baghuul's attempts to initiate Dylan into his little murder club (mainly by giving him some horrific nightmares, and forcing him to watch reel after reel of Super 8 murders, most of which pale in comparison to the ones witnessed in the first Sinister. I will say the last tape is pretty effective though). Sinister 2 just isn't all that scary, though a definite dreary and hopeless atmosphere and mood is established here.
James Ransone is very likable as the still goofy ex-deputy, both twins do fine jobs, and the various ghost kids are neither creepy, threatening, nor scary. Possibly the actor who leaves the strongest impression is Leo Coco as Clint, the absolutely terrifying, intimidating and sadistic patriarch who is on the hunt for his ex-wife and kids, he's certainly WAY scarier than Baghuul is in this film (It's also worth noting that there isn't really any main character here). Sinister 2 accomplishes one thing most other horror sequels normally fail to do: It definitely feels like a natural, organic continuation of the first film, just don't expect a scary film or a horror film. This is a decidedly different take on the horror sequel, and it does what it sets out to do fairly well. It's not all that impressive of a sequel, but I'll say I enjoyed my time with it, although it's infernally annoying final shot left a bad taste in my mouth.
No comments:
Post a Comment